Full-time Parks Irrigation Specialist - Turf Crew

The City of Port St. Lucie is an equal opportunity employer.

This position requires the applicant to successfully pass a drug screening. 

Please note that this is an external job posting intended for non-city employees. If you are a current city employee applying through this posting, your application will not be reviewed with other internal candidates. In order to be considered with internal candidates, please apply on the internal posting by clicking HERE.

Performs a variety of skilled and non-skilled tasks in the planning, installation, maintenance, and operations of the City’s varied automatic and manual irrigation systems. Must be proficient with advanced troubleshooting involving wire tracking, locating valves, and repairs to electrical components, both conventional and 2-wire irrigation controls, and related hardware. Must be experienced in working with a variety of pump stations involving Cla-valves, Variable frequency Drive (VFD), relays, centrifugal/submersible pumps, and have experience working with glued and thrust block irrigation systems. Work and equipment operations are performed in a relatively independent manner, utilizing initiative and sound judgment in planning and scheduling assigned duties and technical responsibilities. Provides services and tasks under the general supervision of the Turf / Landscape Supervisor. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City. 

This position is Essential and will require you to report to duty before and immediately after a civil emergency. 

The following duties are illustrative for this position.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  

• Keeps the mission, vision, and values of the City of Port St. Lucie at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations. 

• Conducts regular and consistent operating inspections of assigned systems performing necessary immediate trouble-shooting exercises, and documenting follow-up requirements.
• Determines and monitors daily watering requirements, and provides corrective adjustments of controllers, valves, pump systems to ensure proper soil and moisture content. Provides effective directions of same to varied facilities staff as deemed prudent.
• Performs and directs repairs, maintenance and replacements of sprinkler heads; electric, hydraulic and manual valves; controllers; varied PVC & related piping; pumps and pump stations; and all relative system components.
• Coordinates and reviews maintenance contract(s) for sophisticated pumping stations and provides recommendations of work approvals and necessary upgrades to systems.
• Requisitions and purchases materials, supplies, and equipment required for optimum systems operations and improvements; rents equipment necessary for installations and repairs and recommends purchases of equipment found to be integral to timely and cost-effective operations and programs.
• Participates in the design, review, and installation of new and proposed renovations of irrigation systems; interprets blueprints and specifications; maintains and updates site plans and As-builts for record and Prepares cost estimates for materials and in-house projects
• Assists with turf drainage installation and renovation projects
• Maintains inventory of parts and materials for efficiency and effectiveness of repairs
• Operates trucks and equipment of various sizes and types in performance of duties
• Coordinates work with Supervisors and individual facilities staff.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma is required. Minimum of five (5) consecutive years of experience in the installation, trouble shooting, maintenance and repair of various types of irrigation systems and turf maintenance within the past eight (8) years.

A comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• CDL Class A driver’s license must be obtained within one year of date of hire. 
• Certified in Green Industry Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for the state of Florida or must be obtained within one year of date of hire. 
• Possession of valid Florida driver’s license and maintenance of clean driving record required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES 

• Considerable knowledge of the functions, maintenance, and repairs of various irrigation systems.
• Considerable knowledge of the practices, methods, materials, safety precautions, and tools of the irrigation and turf maintenance trades.
• Considerable knowledge of operations, monitoring, and installation of systems.
• Considerable knowledge of the typical electrical components, operations, and troubleshooting of such components and wiring.
• Skill in operating a variety of vehicles and equipment for the trade and turf maintenance.
• Skill in preventive maintenance practices for irrigation systems and equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and plans.
• Ability to perform variable degrees of manual labor, and in adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and existing systems layouts.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to drive, work within trenches, confined spaces and partially under concrete or similar hard and secure surfaces, talk, hear, walk, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, bend, twist, stoop, crawl, and reach with hands and arms.   The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally move and/or lift up to 80 pounds and climb a ladder up to 15 feet in height.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Steel-toe shoes or composite shoes are mandatory. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions that may be adverse and extreme (heat, humidity, cold, rain, etc.). The employee is frequently exposed to noise, dust, fumes, airborne particles, uneven surfaces, heights, and stressful situations to include trenches, confined spaces, and partially under concrete or similar hard and secure surfaces. Works in and with moving parts and equipment. Works with electrical components and wiring of minimal and high voltage. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.